Arts precinct plan for Magill upgrade

The eastern, or top, end of Magill Road in Adelaide is set for an upgrade under a plan being developed by Campbelltown and Burnside Councils.

The first stage of a master plan for what could become known as Magill Village has been endorsed by Campbelltown Council.

Deputy Mayor Jill Whittaker said she was delighted the University of South Australia remained committed to the future of the Magill campus.

She said together with the university they would promote the area's history, work to foster a cafe and arts culture and make the area more friendly for pedestrians and cyclists.

"We're really more interested in creating a place that has its own ambience and has a creativity and an excitement so that people want to come to the precinct and want to be there, which of course will improve business and will create a whole new atmosphere for the area," she said.

Burnside Mayor David Parkin said Magill Road carried no more traffic than Prospect Road and offered a more natural environment.

"Magill Road has its own advantages and disadvantages. It's not helped by the fact it's on a slope, which makes doing what happened at Prospect a little more difficult, but the concepts are there and I think that is a good thing to investigate, if not adopt," he said.

UniSA vice chancellor David Lloyd said he was keen to see the Magill campus retained, rather than students moved to the city campus.